Rim for vehicle-wheels.



R S. BRYANT. RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS,- APPLICATION FILED SEFT- 2. m3.

--SHEET 1.

Patonivd June 2 SHEEVTLS Jag/T272 51? fiy/ R. S. BRYANT. RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2 19:3.

Patented June 4, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 2

" AMMM m me snare raranr anion.

RIOI-IARD Ei. BRYANT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'I'O THE STANDARD 1AR$CDMPANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

. RIM non vEHIoLE-wHnELs.

' Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented one 4, 191%.

application filed September 2, 1913. Serial No. 787,?86v

To whom it may comer-n:

Be it known that I, RICHARD S. BRYANT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at the Wheel folly and provided with outwardly projecting lateral flanges adapted to engage the sides of the tire, these flanges having diiierent shapes according to the type of tire with which they are to be used. In order to facilitate the removal and replacement of the tire one or both of these flanges are sometimes made separate from the rest of the rim and detachably secured thereto, but difiiculty has sometimes been experienced in securing such flange or Y flanges to the rim insuch a manner as to be Strong and reliable under all incidents of use, and yet be readily removable and replaceable in case of need. It is also necessary that the-securin means besimple and easily operated and fiiatthe weight of the whole rim be kept at ti. very lowest pos sible point not only On account of the ex pense of the metal, but because the inertia of a heavy wheel increases the cost vof operation of the vehicle in case the vehicle be selfpropelled. Accordingly the objects of this invention are the provision of a new and improved construction of rim and things which shall permit the secure attachment of the flange tothe rim for purposes ofuse, while allowing the ready removal thereof upon occa sion, and at the same time possess a mini mum of weight and complexity; the pro vision of a construction of rim and flange by which theflange can be secured as easily in reverse position as in direct position; the provision of a device comprising the fewest possible parts; the provision of a run and flange construction wherein all of the parts can be made by coldrolling ordinary stock steel and without the necessity for changing appreciably the thickness of the same at any point; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description and claims.

Generally speaking my invention may be defined as consisting of the combinations of elements recited in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated-in the drawings accompanying and forming a part, hereof, wherein: Figure 1 is a transverse, crosssectional view of a rim nonstructed in ac-v cordance with my invention showing a tire in place therein, the line of section being taken at one side of the flange-securing device; Fig. 2 is a similar cross-sectional View,

the line of section passing through the flange securing 'device and the tire being omitted; laig. 3 represents a side elevation of a portion of a rim and flange constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken upon the broken line 4-4. in Fig. 2; Fig; 5 is a cross-sectional view taken uponv the line 5 5 in Fig. 2 and looking downwardly; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of my invention showing the same in connection with a wirespoked wheel; and Fig. 7 represents aside elevation of a portion of the wheel shown in Fig. 6.

The tire supporting rim which I prefer to employ in connection with the present in vention consists of a one-piece circular member of sheet metal having a substantially cylindrical portion 1 of a proper width'to receive the size of tire desired, the rearward side of this member being formed with an outstanding Hen e 2 and the forward side being rolled to form an annular groove 3. Inasmuch as this "rim is designed largely for lightness I have in these drawings illustrated it as applied to the wheel in the lightest and simplest possible mode, viz: in Figs. 1 and 2 by being shrunk directly upon the folly 4, in case a wooden wheel be employed, and in Figs. 6 and 7 by being formedat intervals with depressions i adapted for the reception of the nipples 5 of Wire spokes 6; it will be understood, however, that the features of my invention could be employed in we, I

connection with a demountable or other complex rim, if desired, without departing from the scope of my inventive idea.

The groove 3 is formed by bendin the metal of the rim first abruptly inwar 1y to form an inner wall 10 and then abruptly outwardly to form an outer wall 11 parallel to said first wall, the top of the Wall 11 being not materially, if any, above the surface of the cylindrical portion 1. Mounted in this groove is a Hat annular split-ring or side flange 12, the outer edge whereof is formed to fit the side walls of the tire which is to be used therewith. In the present case the projecting portion of this ring is deflected sidewise to form a shallow groove 13' adapted to receive the bead or clench of a clencher tire, the outer margin of the flange being rolled inwardly as at 14L so as to embrace this clench as usual. The amount of displacement employed in the formation of this groove 13 is so chosen that when the flange is reversed, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 6, its convex face will stand at the proper point to receive a straight Wall tire. The inner portion 01 the ring is formed as a flat web adapted to fit rather snugly within the groove, the groove being of considerable depth as compared with its width so that the ring may have a secure bearing a ainst i walls.

The on s of this flange abut closely together as illustrated at 15 in Fig. 3, one of the ends beingarranged to radially overlie the other end as by being formed with a notch or recess 16 adjacent to the inner edge and the other end with a tongue 17 projecting into that notch. Also the groove 3 is intersected at one point by an abutment member 18 such as a rivet secured in the walls 10 and 11 and traversing the groove, while the underlying end of the ring is notched as at 19 so as to straddle this rivet.

At the opposite side of the split 15 from the abutment 18, the walls 10 and 11 are intersected by a transverse dove-tailed notch 20, said notch having its widest portion at the point farthest from the center of the wheel and terminating substantially on a line with the interior face of the cylindrical portion 1.,as shown in Fi 2. The flat inner portion of the ring is i so formed with a similar notch adapted to register with the notch '20.

Into, this notch is inserted the wedge block 21 which is formed to fit snugly therein and thus'hey the end of the ring 12 securely withiii the groove 3. The inner end of the blockQl is preferably beveled as illustrated at 22 so as to draw the overlying end of the ring toward the underlying end. The bottonri ace of the block is formed with a bracket 25 adapted for the reception of a securing member, here shown as a screw 26 ltti ll'lglg a shoulder 27 at each side of the l bracket so as to shift the wedge bbtfk in either direction. In the embodimen 'illustrated in Figs'l and 2, the folly t isfipmvided with a threaded metallic sleeve -2'8 for the reception of this screw, while theawedge block is recessed on its'outer face, as illustrated at 29 for the reception of theiscrew head. The bracket 25 herein illustrated is formed of a pair of horns having their eX- tremities bent to embrace thescrew. t

It will be obviousthat the insertion of the wedge block 21 into the notch 20 will fdraw the overlying end of; the ring 12 toward the underlying end thereof so as to secure the latter against radial movement while the abutment 18 holds the same against circumferential movement. A second obstructing member 18 is provided at the opposite side of the notch 20 from the member 18 {for use when the flange is reversed. The overlying end of the ring is provided with a notch 19 permitting the ring to be applied and moved circumferentially through a limited arc without interference from thissecond obstructing member.

In Figs. 6 and Z I have illustrated a slightly modified construction which is simpler in character and is particularly adapted for use with Wire spoked rims although not limited to such use. In this embodiment the same groove 3 with its walls 10 and Q11 and obstructing members 18 and l8 are provided a as before.

Also the ring 12 is similar to that previously described in that it has a portion fitted sn'ugly within the groove 3 and notched at 18 anddWfan-d provided with a recess 16 and tongue 17 as before. The bottom of the groove 3 is cut away at one point to form a slot 30, and the web of the ring 12 is extended radially inward to form a projection or ear 31 adapted to project through this slot. The ear 3]. is formed with an aperture 32 and the inner face of the circular member 1 is forn'ied wit? a bracket 33 having therein a threaded aperture. Threaded into this bracket is a screw 26 having adjacent to its outer end an en- .larged portio1r35 adapted to fit snugly within the aperture 32, the enlargement 35 merg.

. .115 by means of atapered or conical portion 36. Preferably, When the device is assembled,

ing into the. threaded portion of the screw the portion 35 of the sc w engages a rounded notch 37 .formed in he bottom edge of the walls 10 and 11 so that no strain may be put upon the t-hreaded portion 26.

It will be seen that the general idea of the device shown "in-Figs. 6 and 7, is exactly the same as that in the preceding views, the screw shown in Figs. 67 d 7 itself carrying" the wedge member, w iile in the preceding-views the wedge member is separate from the screw. If the screw shown in Figs. 6 and 7be removed,the ring 12 is in'iniedia tely .freed, while'upon the in- 1,see,e11 m sertion' of: this screw through the aperture 32 into-the bracket 33, the interaction of the inclined portion 36 with the walls of the notch 37 and the aperture 32 serves todraw the ring forcibly into place.

The opposite side of the rim may be treated in any suitable or desired manner. In thepresent" case I have illustrated the memher 1 as provided with a floating ring t0 rolled up o'f sheet metal and having one side concave for the reception of the clenches or beads of a clencher tire, and the other side convex, The size and shape of this ring is such as to enable it to be employed in either position as shown in the full and dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 6, and the height of the same and of the flange 2 may desirably be made such that upon the location of the ring as shown in dotted lines, the outer margin of the ring engages the outer margin of the flange at the same instant that the inner margin engages the base of the flange, thus stiffening the construction and avoiding the formation of a recess which would accumulate sand and filth,

t Will be obvious that the Wedging men bcr could take many other forms than those herein suggested, that the mode of its engagement With the ring could be Widely varied, and generally that many changes could be made without materially aficcting the operation of the device. While I have described my invention in detail, I do not, therefore, propose to limit myself to such details except as the same may be positively included in the claims hereto annexed or be rendered necessary by the prior state er the art.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is v 1 In a device of the character described, the combination with a tiresupporting rim having a circumferential groove adjacent one wig and transverse abutment in said groove; of a split side-flange adapted to seat in such groove the ends of said flange being formed so that ones 11 radially overlie the other. the underlying end having a notch on its inner edge adapted to engage said abutment and the overlying end of said flange having a portion adapted to project through such groove; and a movable Wedge member carried 1 y said rim and adapted to slidably engage the projecting portion of said and secure the same in place.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a ti. supporting rim; of a reversible split sidefiauge adaprm'l to surround the same, the ends of said flange being formed so that one shall radially oven lie the other; means carried by said rim and adapted to engage the overlying end of said flange and l cure the san'xe against radial movement; and other means on. Opposite sides of said. se uring mavens .resgiectively arranged to engage the underlying end of said flange in either position of the latter and to hold. such end against circumferential movement.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tire-supporting rim; of a reversible split side-flange adapted to surround the same, the ends of said flange being formed so that one shall radially over lie the other and the underlying end having a notch upon its inner surface; means carried by saidrim and adapted to engage the overlying end of said flange and secure the same against radial movement; and abutments carried by said rim at opposite sides of said securing means, one of said abutments being arranged to engage such notch in one positionof said flange and the other in reversed position of the latter, the overlying end of said flange being also formed With a notch adapted to straddle the other of said abutments.

In a device oi the character described,

in combination, a circular member having a slot, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to one of its ends a projection adapted to enter said slot, the end having the projection being arranged to overlie the other end of the ring, said circular member being provided at each side of said slot with means adapted for engagement by the underlying end of said ring and the underlying end of said ring being formed for engagement with one or the other of said means depending upon Whether said ring is applied in direct or reversed position, and a device adapted to engage said projection and retain said overlying end in engagement with said underlying end. i

5. In a device of the character describec, the combination, with a circular member having a groove running therearound, of'a split ring adapted tosurround said circular member and lit in said groove, the ends of ring being formed so that one shall overlie the other and the underlying end having a notch in its inner edge, an' abutment within said groove and adapted to engage saidnotch, said circular member and said overlying end having registering notches, and Wedge means adapted to enter said notches and draw said mrerlying end against said underlying end.

6. In a vehicle Wheel, the combination, with circular member having a groove running therearound, said circular member being adapted for the reception of a lire, of a split ring adapted to surround said member, said ring having a portion adapted to lit Within said groove and another portion adapted to engage the Wall of the tire, said cove and the first mentioned portion d ring being symmetrical to permit the rcve cal of said ring and the lust named portioi'l of ring being asymmetrical so the ends of said interfitting portions and the grooveentering &

as to cooperate with tires of diii'erent types, ring being formed with portion of said ring being notched adjacent to each end of the rlng, abutments Wlilhlll said groove adapted to enter said notches,

and a Wedge member adapted to engage said circular member and said ring the Walls of said groove and the inner portion of said ring being notched for the reception. of said Wedge member.

7. In a vehicle wheel, the con'lbination, With a circular member having a. groove running therearound and a notch intersecting said groove, of a split ring adapted to surround said circular member and having its inner portion adapted to fit Within said groove; the ends of sa1d ring being formed sothat a part of the one shall overlie a part of the other, inter-fitting means carried by said circular memberand the underlying;

part of said ring whereby said underlying part shall be secured against circumferential motion, and a wedge member adapted to fit within said notch and engage" the overlying end of said ring, the inner portion of said ring adjacent to said overlying end being ilotted forthe reception of said Wedge memeeann 8. In a vehicle Wheel, the combination, 30 with a circular member having a groove member and the inner portion of said ring adjacent to the underlying end thereof whereby said underlying end is secured against circumferential movement, a threaded member carried by said circularmem lr er 1n alinement With said notch, and a Weof' e member carried by said threaded merrilii and lying in said notch and securing {the overlying end of said with the underlying end thereof In testimony whereof, ll hereunto aftiX my signature in the presence of two Witnesses RI CHARD S. BRYANT. Witnesses:

BRENNAN B. Wear, Harlow E. SMITH.

ring in engagement 

